Radiant Floor Heating - What You Need To Know

In today's day and age, you no longer have to heat your home the old fashion way with a furnace that circulates hot air throughout the house. Instead you can do it with radiant floor heating. Not only does it save energy and costs, but it is healthier for you and your home.

The way it works is simple -- heating coils are placed under the flooring and create enough heat to make your house as warm as you desire. How does a heated floor feel under your feet? Oftentimes it doesn't feel like anything. Usually the surface temperature is going to be less than your own body temperature. You will find you feel a sensation of comfort when you walk over it though, and not feeling of disturbance.

Only in the rarest of circumstances will your floor actually feel warm underneath your feet. This is on the coldest days when you have set your radiant floor heating at its highest levels -- in this case it is desirable for the floor to feel warm.

Another benefit to radiant floor heating is that it is more pleasant than air furnaces because the temperature remains constant. When the thermostat kicks the furnace on, the house will become unusually warm. However, when it stops the house will then become unusually cool. This never-ending hot then cool cycle is not as pleasurable as a room that maintains a constant, ideal temperature.

How does radiant heating produce heat? There are two ways. The first is to use electrical circuits. The second way is to use water pipes. If you use electric panels, then an electric system is installed to provide the power to heat the coils.

If you use water pipes, then the water can be heated in a variety of ways by utilizing natural gas, propane, electricity and so on. Your decision will often be based upon the size of your project as well as the energy costs in your area. When most people install radiant floor heating, most go with water pipes. These systems are the most easily controllable.

Some of the advantages associated with radiant floor heating is its silent operation, it's inconspicuousness, as well as saving on energy use and cost. Not only that, you no longer have to put up with an air system that will spread dust and germs around the house.